JOY

The question “So, why bother?” has two sides. The first side: Why have I bothered to try and write this book? Answer: I believe to the core of my being that the best path to joy is a spiritual path and that for nonpracticing or sometime Catholics the best way to travel that path is almost certainly Roman Catholicism. I believe this because it has been my experience. For almost fifteen years I rejected Catholicism, for most of the reasons cited in the last paragraph. Since my spiritual journey began in earnest, I have spent countless hours with other non-practicing or semi-practicing Catholics. The results have always been the same. Anyone who makes the effort to practice rather than observe his or her faith tradition grows and becomes more. Practice takes effort. Practice takes understanding. But it always yields results. It’s one of God’s promises. I hope this book will help those who would like to give it a try. Besides, I know that whatever else happens, I will learn more in the writing of this book than will any reader in the reading. Another promise: about receiving more than you give.

The other side of the question, “So, why bother?” is for you, the reader. Why should you bother reading this book? In asking this question I am bold enough to include most practicing Catholics, because most currently practicing Catholics do so with only a minimal understanding of their faith tradition. Most churchgoing Catholics ended their religious education somewhere between second and seventh grade. How would you like to go through life with a second-grade education?

The answer to the question “So, why bother?” seems simple enough to me. What have you got to lose? A little time. And just maybe the draining search for meaning and contentment in your life. What have you to gain? Potentially, everything.

Consider that an invitation in the spirit of the disciples’ initial encounter with Jesus as told in the Gospel of John. When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “‘Rabbi’ (which means teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come, and you will see.’”

What are you looking for?

Come, and you will see.